fresh water tank leak

[Skeetzee]

MicroLite 21FBRS - I have a hairline crack in my fresh water tank. It of course is in a terrible place. It is at the top of the small square that is molded at the fresh tank drain along the seam. about a 1/2" long. Is there any way to fix it or do I have to get a new tank? Has anyone replaced this tank at home?

[SeaDog]

there are several options, I fixed a leak in a plastic tank by putting Hard cast tape over the crack lasted for years, you may also try welding with a plastic welder or JB Weld. I would not hesitate to use the hard cast tape again. easy fix and cheap. Hard Cast tape has a foil back with heavy glue section (not like the home depot foil tape) good luck let the forum know how you fix it.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Several options from post #2 add 2-part Epoxy to his list of JB weld.

[youroo]

These tanks FLEX while filling and Going down the Road! Use a Flexible patch " As seen on TV" or replace tank at Home! Youroo!!

[HangDiver]

I've had great success fixing RV leaks on flexible surfaces with this. Worth its weight in gold.

[Skeetzee]

I have some eternabond tape..it is very flexible. I read a post that said to drill a hole at each end of the crack to stop the crack from running. thoughts?
The part that is bad about my leak is that it is down at the very bottom of the tank..If there is any water in the tank it will always have pressure on the crack. And it is along a bend in the plastic on a seam. I figure this seam will just keep giving out. Certainly worth a try with these sealing tapes before replacing it.

[Lundy]

I had the fitting for the drain strip out on my tank once. I took it out and a Rv repair shop welded in a new one for me. Charged me $25.00. It can be fixed, you shouldn't need a new tank.

[SeaDog]

[QUOTE=Skeetzee;1654573]I have some eternabond tape..it is very flexible. I read a post that said to drill a hole at each end of the crack to stop the crack from running. thoughts?

That is called stop drilling and is done in the aviation industry allot to keep a crack from running in aluminum.

[Skeetzee]

I think I have attached a picture to this post but can't tell if I did it right. will post and see what happens.

[HangDiver]

I have the exact same tank. I don't think I would drill any holes but others may have different thoughts about that.

If it were my tank I would definitely give the tape a try. Clean the area thoroughly and use a small roller to really press the glue in there. I'm not sure if there's a difference between Stick N Bond and Eternabond (I have both). Both claim to have micro-sealant properties.

Good Luck

[palmetto rogue]

Definitely drill the holes at the end of the crack. With all the flexing it will grow if not done. Leave the welding to someone with experience. You need compressed air, filler rod and welding gun to do it yourself.

[Tomgky]

I had the same leak in the same tank. I tried the tape and it worked until the tank got full. Then leaked again. The tank expands when full. I found a product at the local RV shop that wired great. I am out of town right now so I can’t tell you the name of it. It was a patch kit just for your problem. It had a two part epoxy and fiber glass cloth. You mixed the epoxy and spread it over the crack then put on the fiber glass cloth and cover with the rest of the epoxy Had to work quick

[Skeetzee]

I imagine that epoxy fix dries hard..the tank flexing doesn't bother it? Is this tank poly-ethylene or do you know what kind of plastic this tank is? I called the dealer just to see what it would cost to replace it. Ballpark estimate - $400.

[Skeetzee]

Originally Posted by Tomgky

I had the same leak in the same tank. I tried the tape and it worked until the tank got full. Then leaked again. The tank expands when full. I found a product at the local RV shop that wired great. I am out of town right now so I can’t tell you the name of it. It was a patch kit just for your problem. It had a two part epoxy and fiber glass cloth. You mixed the epoxy and spread it over the crack then put on the fiber glass cloth and cover with the rest of the epoxy Had to work quick

Which tape did you try? And are you back home yet? Which epoxy? Had some tips to use 3M 5200 marine sealant..but it is not for plastic. The 3M 4200 and 4000 is though. Called 3M and they did not recommend putting on the drinking water tank in case the chemicals leach into the tank. I can't decide if I need to worry about this or not.

[Tomgky]

The tape I tried was the Flex Seal tape. The product I bought at the RV store is shown here. After more thinking about it I have not filled the tank since I did the repair but I feel sure it worked. I guess I will find out for sure next spring.

[Tomgky]

Let me try again to attach the photo